Bubble Gear!!

[Kissyboots]

So, I thought I might make my tank(s) nicer by adding some BUBBLES!!!

So far, I've made a list containing the following items. If you have do's and don't's/get's and don't get's, please feel free to post. Since I'm new to this, I have no clue what I'm doing so I need help, help, help!

List:
Air pump - Whisper 60 or 100 (I want one with two outlets so I can put one in the 5g and one in the 20g. It was suggested not to get a single outlet one and then use a "spliter" thingy cuz it doesn't work well.)

Tubing - (I was told black is better than clear. Why? How much in length is recommended?)

Bubble wand - 18" (Is that too short for my 20g? It's only $1 more for a 24" but I don't want too many bubbles.)

Air stone - (For the 5g. Any suggestions on that? I have no clue what to get.)


So, anything wrong with that list? Suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Lone Wolff]

In my own personal history/use I've used both single ported air pumps with a 'T' valve, and dual ported air pumps with and without 'T's' and gang valves. Either one would be fine, but by buying a larger pump, you may avoid having to buy a larger one 5-10 years down the road if you get a larger tank.

Pumps...
I personally love the Whisper pumps. I have one going on 12 years of everyday use. I also have a Penn-Plax 'AirTech 2K4' that's been running for 8 years. It was pretty cheap, and can't complain about it at all. It's a fraction noisier than the Whisper, but it was about half the price.

Anyway, the Whisper 60 would be hard to beat for your current setup.


Tubing...
Perhaps the black is thicker? I've had the clear stuff for over 15 years. Gotten a little tough as it's aged, but it still works good, not at all brittle. And it's cheap as can be at the hardware store.

Bubble wand...
My 29Long came with (2) 9" wands. I hated them. I prefer the stones. When they get dirty, they're much easier to clean, and cheaper to replace. More durable to boot. I have a 2" stone in my 29, and it seems to be providing plenty of air for that tank. I think 18"wand would be overkill in a 20g tank.

Air Stone...
For your 5g tank. the smallest one you can get would still be be plenty, especially with the pumps you mentioned.

 

[Kissyboots]

Either one would be fine, but by buying a larger pump, you may avoid having to buy a larger one 5-10 years down the road if you get a larger tank.

Yes, my point exactly! Teehee, that's what I was thinking. It's only $3 more for a 100 than a 60 so should I go for the 100? That way, if I end up getting a tank over 60g (dream on you weirdo, Kissyboots ) then I won't have to get a new pump.

I think alter40 told me black tubing is better. Alter explain yourself!

I was thinking about a bubble wand because then I could "snake" it around the castle and whatever else I want. That's also why I thought a 24" would be better cuz it's longer.

I'll check the airstones.

Thanks for the ideas! *GOLDFISH*

 

[Lone Wolff]

One thing I forgot to add is that using a gang valve is the best way to acclimate fish I've ever encountered. Search for 'Drip Method' if you're not familiar with it.

The only type of bubble wand I'm familiar with is the rigid cardboard-like type. I really hated those rigid ones because they were so brittle and clogged way too easily. I had to clean them every 3-4 weeks. What a pain.
The flexible ones should be much better I'd think. Perhaps someone who has used these newer bendable ones could chime in as to their longevity.

The only reason not to get the 100 vs the 60 would be if there is an external size difference and you had a space issue where you want to put the pump.

 

[Kissyboots]

It actually looks like the 60 and 100 are the same size. ???

Any other tips? On flexible bubble wands maybe?

 

[Kissyboots]

So, my plan is to get an air pump that has 2 outlets. Probably a 60. Some tubing, probably the clear stuff since nobody told me what the benefit of the black stuff is. A pack of air stones. One of which will go in the 5g puffer tank. Another air stone might fit into the castle in the 20g. I’ll be getting a flexible bubble wand as well to go in the 20g. My questions:
What’s the difference between black and clear tubing?
What size do I need?
How much (in length) do I need?
Is it cheaper at Home Depot or Lowe’s than online?
Any other suggestions/comments/tips?
(The pump will provide for the 20g and the 5g. They are next to each other. How do I attach the tubing in the tank? Do I need anything special in there? I’m totally new to this so I need as much help as I can get!)
Thanks.

 

[Meghan]

What’s the difference between black and clear tubing?
I'm not sure, hope someone else answers this one.

What size do I need?
I didn't even realize it came in different widths... But, I'm not sure width matters. Seems to me it would be the same amount of air coming through either way and the amount of air would depend on pump size. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

How much (in length) do I need?
I can't remember what length I bought, but it was really cheap- like a dollar and some change and I cut it in half.

Is it cheaper at Home Depot or Lowe’s than online?
As I said, mine was really cheap, and I got it at Petsmart. Also, I have clear.

Any other suggestions/comments/tips?
Not sure if you know, but I think the bubble stones are like $0.29! Woohoo!

The pump will provide for the 20g and the 5g. They are next to each other. How do I attach the tubing in the tank? Do I need anything special in there? I’m totally new to this so I need as much help as I can get!
How do you mean 'attach it in the tank'? Attach one end to the pump, the other end gets the air stone, then just drop the end with the air stone in the tank- it'll weigh itself down, doesn't need to be anchored or anything. You can drop it in right through whatever hole you can in the hood. They do have decorations though that you can buy and snake an air stone in, then the bubbles come out of the decoration- I have one thats a barrel and the bubbles come out of flowers.


Hope I was helpful, Kissy! *SUNSMILE*

 

[Sticky Fish]

"T" valves rule. you can run multiple stones. i used to have one with i had my 10 gallon in the 80s with the corner bubble filter which ruled btw. i think also had a check valve on there just in case also. or some of the gang valves have them built in.

 

[Kissyboots]

Thanks for the info? Any other suggestions? Come on! I know lots of you guys have bubbles!!!!!!!!

 

[Kissy Joy's Mommy]

Kissyboots,

We have 3 kinds of bubble accessories that we use. We used the small rounded stone to drop into decor, the twisting bubble wand to go around decor or just to make neat bubble shapes come out of the gravel, the hard plastic bubble wands that look like the bendable ones but arent, they suction to the tank glass then you bury it and they have varied bubble sizes that come out which looks really neat. Then we also have a huge bubble disk that sends up a ton of tiny but not miniscule bubbles kinda like a bubble shower....we love them all.

The hard stones are kind of hard for us to get the crud out of the crevices but with a bit of elbow grease it can be done.

The only thing i know about the difference in tubing is that we have the clear and one that is dark blue that came with the setup. The dark blue is really like rubbery flexible where as the clear is not as flexible. Its still a good deal flexible, just not as much as the blue.

As for how much youll need, take the depth of the tank times two and a half then add the distance to the pump. So depending on where its located in your tank you should have enough thats why the half is added to the number. If it will be at the back of your tanks and if thats where your air will be, youll just have to cut off a lil more or leave it dangle.

We have found out though, that its better to buy and have extra then to have to make another trip. And since its not that expensive its an easy save. Plus you may just have enough left over for something needed in the future, ya never know!

 

[ChrisShip]

Some kind of gang valve might help as well, they can also function as line splitters.

Gang Valve

I like the TopFin bubble walls instead of airstones as they suction cup to the wall and are easy to burry. They range from 2 dollars to seven dollars so you wouldn't be spending a lot of dough.

Bubble Walls

 

[Kissyboots]

Thanks for all the info. Here's what I'm planning to get so far:

Whisper 60 airpump (that happens to be on sale)
Whisper 60 Aquarium Air Pump

18 in. flexible bubble wand for 20g
Flexible Bubble Wand 18 in. (Marineland)

Air stones (one of which is for the 5g)
Air stone Quad Pack

I'll get the tubing at a local hardware store like Home Depot or whatever. Then I can measure exactly how much I need, plus a little more of course.

Is that a good list? Thanks for all the help and info!

 

[Mollylover32804]

Someone asked about the long bubble wand tubing that bends. I have one, and love it. I forget the size but it's black and heavy so covering it with sand was so easy. Just hook it up to the clear tubing that goes to the air pump. You can curve around rocks, decorations and everything, the only thing I noticed is that it doesn't put out alot of bubbles. Might be ok with some people but I'm the type that loves millions of bubbles. I have the long tube around some rocks and then I have a air stone in a decoration that makes a good amount of bubbles. The bendable tube is neat, you can make any type of bubble line you want. I have mine going in and out of rocks and plants..looks natural on my 59 gallon, and my corys play in the bubbles all the time

 

[Kissyboots]

Thanks AquariumGuys! Order has been placed!

 

[Kissyboots]

Yay! Got all the junk'n'stuff today!!!
Unfortunately the pump is louder than I though. That will drive my mom crazy although she's not supposed to be in my room...I'll just have to turn it off at night. I'll hook it up to the timer that runs the lights. The bubble wand is awesome! It's all flexible and stuff!!! Too bad I can't start now. I don't have the tubing yet, and this is a summer project, not something to waste my time and distract from school...I'll keep you updated and of course pics when it's all set up!